Vegetable Molecular Genetics & Genomics

Graduate Assistantship Available

2011-03-21T14:36:00.003-04:00

A graduate assistantship (M.Sc) is available in the Vegetable Molecular Genetics and Genomics laboratory of the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia located in Athens (GA). Research is expected to focus on QTL mapping of traits in watermelon. Candidates with prior experience in molecular biology, genetics, plant pathology and/or bioinformatics are preferred. Interested parties should contact Dr. McGregor.

Gummy Stem Blight on watermelon

2010-08-18T11:36:00.001-04:00

Squash bug eggs on morning glory

2010-07-27T08:22:00.003-04:00

Honeybee working in watermelon field

2010-07-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

Halloween Pepper

2009-11-24T13:04:00.000-05:00

Rind Pattern

2009-07-17T12:47:00.003-04:00

Interesting rind pattern - we are calling it "Leopard" for now.

Watermelon Crosses

2009-05-14T10:35:00.005-04:00

Our greenhouse is up and running and the watermelons are growing at a rapid speed. We have started making some crosses. Most of these crosses are between Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus and C. lanatus var. citroides.

Greenhouse Facilities

2009-02-12T11:01:00.007-05:00

Researchers and students of this group have space assigned in new state of the art greenhouses.

The Laboratory

2009-02-12T10:44:00.007-05:00

The lab is newly renovated and situated in Rooms 1401 and 1401A in the Miller Plant Sciences Building on the UGA main campus in Athens. We are still in the process of adding equipment, but the lab is now fully functional.

Dec 2008

Febr 2009

Prospective Students

2009-02-12T10:30:00.000-05:00

Depending on the topic of study and funding source, students have a choice of obtaining a degree from the Department of Horticulture or the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics & Genomics.
Please note that these entities have different admission criteria, procedures and requirements for obtaining your degree. Please make sure you follow the appropriate procedures.

Graduate Assistantships

2009-02-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

Currently one Graduate Assistantship is available to work in our group for a PhD student starting Spring 2010 (January 2010). Experience and an interest in Statistics, Bioinformatics, Plant Pathology and Molecular Biology/Genetics is highly desirable.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. McGregor to discuss mutual interests and possible research topics. As part of the selection process you will be expected to undergo and in-person or online interview.

Classes

2009-02-12T10:15:00.001-05:00

Dr. McGregor teaches two classes:
HORT (CRSS) 4140/6140: Introduction to Plant Breeding - Offered Fall every year.
HORT (ECOL) 8xxx: Ex Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources: Offered Spring of even years.

Introduction to Plant Breeding

2009-02-12T10:12:00.002-05:00

CRSS (HORT) 4140/6140
Introduction to Plant Breeding

Instructor: Cecilia McGregor
1119 Plant Sciences Building
Office phone: 706-542-0782
Email: cmcgre1@uga.edu
Office Hours: tba

Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 1:25-2:15 pm
3203 Plant Sciences Building

Description
The course will cover fundamental principles and theories utilized in the science of plant breeding and cultivar development, and the role breeding plays in plant improvement.

Class format
This class will meet annually during the Fall semester. This is a 3-hour course. The class will meet three times a week for lectures and discussions.

Attendance policy
Attendance is required. If a student has to miss class, make up work will be assigned by the instructor. Note: In-class participation will make up 10% of your final grade.

Prerequisite
Undergraduate prerequisite: PGEN 3580-3580L or permission of major professor. Instructor will waive prerequisite if student has had reasonable exposure to genetics in another course.

Course outline
Historical perspectives and importance of plant breeding
General biological concepts
Germplasm issues
Genetic analysis in plant breeding
Tools in plant breeding
Classic methods of plant breeding
Selected plant breeding objectives
Cultivar release and commercial seed production
International breeding efforts
Emerging concepts in plant breeding
Breeding selected crops.

Grading policy
For undergraduates, grades will be based on in-class participation (10%) and three exams (including the final) (90%, each exam counts for 30%). Exams will cover all materials covered in class including guest lectures, discussion topics, papers and online resources.
For graduate credit, grades will be based on in-class participation (10%), three exams (including the final) (75%, each exam counts for 25%) and a term paper (15%). Exams will cover all materials covered in class including guest lectures, discussion topics, papers and online resources. The topic of the term paper can be chosen by the graduate student, with concurrence from the instructor (deadline Sept 18, 12 noon). The term paper should follow the format of a review paper in Crop Science. The paper is due November 20 at 5 pm. Late submission will result in a 5% reduction in grade for each tardy 24-hour period (or fraction thereof)

Policy for make-up of examinations
Please let me know in advance if you are going to miss an exam. Missing exams without prior notification and/or a legitimate reason will result in a zero grade for that exam. All make-up exams will be in the form of a one-on-one oral exam.

Required course material
Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding by George Acquaah, Wiley-Blackwell 2007, ISBN 978-1-4051-3646-4.
Students may be supplied with additional electronic and online materials as the class progresses.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work. See: (http://www.uga.edu/honesty/)

Note: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary

Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources

2009-02-12T10:10:00.001-05:00

Ex situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources
HORT (ECOL) 8XXX

Instructor: Cecilia McGregor
1119 Plant Sciences Building
Office phone: 542-0782
Email: cmcgre1@uga.edu
Office Hours: tba

Guest lecturer: Dr. Dorset Trapnell (School of Ecology)

HORT XXXX is designed to:
1. improve one’s understanding of the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources;
2. clarify the role of molecular techniques in analyzing and exploiting diversity;
3. elucidate the use of genetic resources in plant breeding, the pharmaceutical industry and other areas of scientific research;
4. create awareness of the controversies involved in intellectual property rights applied to plant genetic resources.
5. develop one’s communication skills through class discussions;
6. improve one’s ability to critically read and interpret scientific literature.

Class format: This class will meet even years during the spring semester. This is a 3-hour course. The class will consist of lectures and discussions. Discussions will focus on important research papers and topics covered in class.

Attendance policy: Attendance is required. If a student has to miss class, make up work will be assigned by the instructor. Note: In-class participation will make up 10% of your final grade.

Prerequisite: Undergraduate prerequisite: GENE 3000 or equivalent. Instructor will waive prerequisite if student has had reasonable exposure to population genetics in another course.

Course outline: The goal of this course is to give students an understanding of the importance of plant diversity and the ways it is conserved and utilized. This course will focus on ex situ conservation, molecular tools used for analysis of plant diversity and the use of genetic resources in agriculture, conservation and the pharmaceutical industry.

Lecture Topics:
Plant Conservation Genetics: Importance, Options, and Opportunities
Importance of Plants in Life
Role of Genetics
Options and Strategies for Plant Conservation
Opportunities for Application of Plant Conservation Genetics
Overview of Plant Conservation Genetics
Strategies for in Situ Conservation
Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Plant Populations
Techniques for ex Situ Plant Conservation
Strategies Employed to Collect Plant Genetic Resources for ex Situ Conservation
The Role of Genetic Resources Held in Seed Banks in Plant Improvement
Botanic Gardens and Conservation
Conservation of Plant Genes and the Role of DNA Banks
Molecular Analysis of Plant Genetic Resources
Analysis of Nuclear, Mitochondrial, and Chloroplast Genomes in Plant Conservation
Genomics and Plant Biodiversity Management
Intellectual property rights

Grading policy:
Grades will be based on in-class participation (10%) and three exams (including the final) (90%, each exam counts for 30%). Exams will cover all materials covered in class, including discussion topics, papers and online resources.

Policy for make-up of examinations:
Please let me know in advance if you are going to miss an exam. Missing exams without prior notification and/or a legitimate reason will result in a zero grade for that exam. All make-up exams will be in the form of a one-on-one oral exam.

Required course material: Plant Conservation Genetics by Robert J. Henry (Editor). CRC, 1 edition (June 20, 2006). ISBN: 9781560229971. Students will be supplied with additional electronic and online materials as the class progresses.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are responsible to inform themselves about those standards before performing any academic work. See: (http://www.uga.edu/honesty/)

Note: The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.

McGregor Career Experience

2009-02-12T10:02:00.001-05:00

10/2009-present: Assistant-Professor, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia, USA
05/2008-10/2009: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, USA
06/2006-05/2008: Postdoctoral Researcher, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics, School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University, USA.
06/2001-05/2006: Graduate Research Assistant, Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics, Dept. of Horticulture, Louisiana State University, USA.
04/1999-05/2001: Project Manager (Plant Molecular Markers), Biotechnology Division, ARC-Roodeplaat, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa.
10/1995-03/1999: Researcher (Plant Molecular Markers), Biotechnology Division, ARC-Roodeplaat, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa.

McGregor Education

2009-02-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

06/2001-08/2006: Ph.D., Horticulture, Louisiana State University, USA.Differential expression and detection of transcripts in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) using cDNA microarrays. Advisor: Prof. Don R. LaBonte
01/1993-12/1995: M.Sc., Molecular Genetics, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.Determining the population structure of the endangered Cape yellowfish (Barbus capenesis) using RAPD markers.Advisor: Prof. Dries Retief
01/1989-12/1992: B.Sc., Agric., Genetics and Animal Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

McGregor Published Papers

2009-02-12T09:49:00.006-05:00

McGregor C, Miano D, La Bonte D, Hoy M & C Clark (2009) The Effect of the Sequence of Infection of the Causal Agents of Sweet Potato Virus Disease on Symptom Severity and Individual Virus Titres in Sweet Potato cv. Beauregard. J. Phytopathology doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2008.01517.x

McGregor CE and DR LaBonte (2006) Differential expression of genes between storage roots of sweetpotato cultivars ‘Jewel’ and ‘White Jewel’. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131 (6): 798-805.

Kokkinos CD, McGregor CE, Clark CA & D.R LaBonte (2006) The Effect of Sweet Potato Virus Disease and its Viral Components on Gene Expression Levels in Sweetpotato. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 131(5): 657-666.

McGregor CE, L He, RM Ali, B Sosinski, J Jankowicz, K Burg, DR LaBonte (2005) The effects of replicate number and image analysis method on sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] cDNA microarray results. Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 23: 367–381.

McGregor CE, van Treuren R, Hoekstra R & ThJL van Hintum (2002) Analysis of the wild potato germplasm of the series Acaulia with AFLPs: implications for ex situ conservation. Theor. Appl. Genet. 104:146-156.

McGregor CE, Greyling MM, Robyn A & GM Littlejohn (2001) Genetic diversity and its relation to habitat range of Protea coronata, P. holosericea and P. neriifolia as determined by RAPDs. Acta Hort. 545: 39-41.

McGregor C, Greyling M, Banda J & S Laurie (2001) DNA fingerprinting of sweetpotato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.: Two case studies in Africa. Acta Hort. 546: 243-248.

McGregor CE, Lambert CA, Greyling MM, Louw JH & L Warnich (2000) A comparative assessment of DNA fingerprinting techniques (RAPD, ISSR, AFLP and SSR) in tetraploid potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) germplasm. Euphytica 113: 135-144.

McGregor CE, Greyling MM & L Warnich (2000) The use of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) to identify commercially important potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Plant Soil 17(4); 177-179.